GUATEMALA

Guatemala is the most northern of the five Central American countries. It is bounded on the north and west by Mexico, on the southeast by Honduras and on the east by Belize and the Caribbean. Guatemalan coastlines cover about 200 miles on the Pacific Ocean and 70 miles on the Caribbean Sea. Compared to a state in the US, Guatemala is roughly the size of Tennessee. Guatemala’s total area of 42,042 square miles contains diverse landscape, ranging from thick jungle to rugged mountains and volcanoes. About two-thirds of the country’s total land area is mountainous, with fertile valleys that have produced world famous coffees. The country is roughly divided into four geographic regions: the central-western highlands, a low northern plateau section that is largely jungle, the southern volcanic regions of the Sierra Madre, and the tropical coastal lowland.

CLIMATE

With geographic regions that range from mountainous forests to lowland jungles, Guatemala’s climate varies throughout the country according to altitude. The department of El Petén, a tropical lowland region (see #22 on map below), is often described as hot and humid throughout the year. The central and southern mountainous regions are characterized by moderate temperatures and a rainy season from May to the beginning of October. During the dry season, days are clear and the weather is hot at midday, with chilly to cold mornings and evenings.

ECONOMY

The economy is primarily agricultural-based and employs about 60 percent of the labor force. Major products include sugarcane, bananas and coffee. The currency is the quetzal (pronounced “ketsal”) that currently has an exchange rate of approximately 7.5Q per $1 dollar U.S.

POPULATION

Guatemala’s population is the largest of the Central American countries, estimated at almost 14 million in 2003. The indigenous Maya represent about 60 percent of the population and they have retained a distinct identity and native Mayan languages. About 40 percent of the population is ladino, or people of mixed European and indigenous ancestry. The majority of the population lives in the western highlands and around

Guatemala City. The people are primarily Catholic in their religious faith and profuse in their gratitude toward our volunteers.

LANGUAGE

Spanish is the official language, but in practice 23 different languages are spoken in Guatemala, including 20 Mayan languages, a Pipil-based language spoken by the Xinca people, and a language called Garifuna. Many Maya speak Spanish, but you cannot always assume they do, as many elderly and children do not. Many Mayan children only learn Spanish when they start school.

DEPARTMENTS

Guatemala is divided into 22 departments, called Departamentos in Spanish, which can be considered to be the equivalent of states in the U.S. These departments are further divided into Municipios. Antigua, the base of operations for Escuela Integrada home to H.O.L.A., is located in the Departamento of Sacatepequez. The principle activities of Sacatepequez are tourism and agriculture. Surrounding Sacatepequez are the Departamentos of Chimaltenango, Escuintla, and Santa Rosa.

Mission Statement